This poem from Elemental has a title that can be a bit tricky to figure out. Let’s see if I’ve made it attainable enough. Humor me! Let me know what you think I’m referring to by “No Charm” in the comments. As always, I’d love your feedback on the whole poem, too!
No Charm
- In your car, we had ordinary teenage sex. Your motivation could hardly perplex. You saved me from the cop who caught us, a thug intent on taking a turn, but couldn’t save me from yourself and the lessons I would learn. You soon showed me who you were, fumbling around with some other girl. You had to come round next day, shackled by your guilt. You had no way to know I was a human lie detector wrapped in silk. I misunderstood entirely what you were. A hero you seemed despite your fall. I dare say I loved you in my moon-sick way. A mistress you made me, and for some time, I chose to bask in the glow of your fetid decay.
- 10 years older, still not so smart. As soon as we reconnected you ate away at my heart. You lived in my house before I gleaned what you were. This lamb finally knows better than to be so sure. Beware of all those who walked with me before.
All rights reserved. “No Charm” may not be reprinted without the permission of the author. Thank you.
What an ass! He seemed like a ‘good guy’ at first, charming for sure, a ‘hero’ for deflecting the bad cop. But he was already very quick to fool around with someone else. He even worked his way back into your life, but that ‘charm’ was a cover because you saw what was underneath, the decay, the lies.
Very nicely written. Was this all based on truth with an experience you had..? xx
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Hate to admit it, but yes. All of the Elemental poems are based on personal experiences, though I happily sacrifice truth in exchange for language and accuracy of emotion. This one’s pretty much on point historically, though… Can’t believe I gave him a second chance, there will never be a third. That’s part of why I called it, “no charm” aside from his lack thereof. I was trying to tie in the old adage “third time’s a charm” with the title and numbering, but I think it might be a little too subtle. Thanks so much for your input, Caz. Xx
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Powerful words as always.
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Thank you! xx
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Sorry, I should have made that more clear in the sense that I knew your writing is based on your experiences. I should have said was the police car bit what actually happened? Yikes! I can totally see the ‘third time’s a charm’ thing now!! Subtle but very, very nicely done! xx
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Gotcha. Yep. The cop thing really happened. I’ll tell you the whole story in an email sometime. Sad isn’t it? Can’t trust anyone!
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